Believe in Bloggin': A word potent enough to teach knowledge and confer distinction

Friday, July 23, 2010

A word potent enough to teach knowledge and confer distinction

The Lord of celestial wisdom saith: A harsh word is even as a sword thrust; a gentle word as milk. The latter leadeth the children of men unto knowledge and conferreth upon them true distinction....

- Bahá'u'lláh, Tabernacle of Unity, pp. 8-9

Questions for reflection

What kind of word leads men to knowledge and honor (based on the above)?

Answer: A ................... word.

What is the effect of a harsh word?

Answer: ....................................................

What does a gentle word lead to?

Answer: ....................................................

What does it confer upon the hearer?

Answer: ....................................................

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About this blog

The goal: to build a spiritual civilization - as individuals taking initiative, as a community taking collective action, and as members of institutions that provide encouragement and direction.

You will find here perspectives on the complexities of life (comments are welcome!), aspiring to reflect such ideals as:

Let your vision be world-embracing, rather than confined to your own self.
(Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets 87)

The publication of high thoughts is the dynamic power in the arteries of life; it is the very soul of the world. Thoughts are a boundless sea, and the effects and varying conditions of existence are as the separate forms and individual limits of the waves; not until the sea boils up will the waves rise and scatter their pearls of knowledge on the shore of life.
('Abdu'l-Bahá, Civilization 109-10)

The connecting power in the world of existence

A critic may object, saying that peoples, races, tribes and communities of the world are of different and varied customs, habits, tastes, character, inclinations and ideas, that opinions and thoughts are contrary to one another, and how, therefore, is it possible for real unity to be revealed and perfect accord among human souls to exist?

In answer we say that differences are of two kinds. One is the cause of annihilation and is like the antipathy existing among warring nations and conflicting tribes who seek each other’s destruction, uprooting one another’s families, depriving one another of rest and comfort and unleashing carnage. The other kind which is a token of diversity is the essence of perfection and the cause of the appearance of the bestowals of the Most Glorious Lord.

Consider the flowers of a garden: though differing in kind, colour, form and shape, yet, inasmuch as they are refreshed by the waters of one spring, revived by the breath of one wind, invigorated by the rays of one sun, this diversity increaseth their charm, and addeth unto their beauty. Thus when that unifying force, the penetrating influence of the Word of God, taketh effect, the difference of customs, manners, habits, ideas, opinions and dispositions embellisheth the world of humanity.

This diversity, this difference is like the naturally created dissimilarity and variety of the limbs and organs of the human body, for each one contributeth to the beauty, efficiency and perfection of the whole. When these different limbs and organs come under the influence of man’s sovereign soul, and the soul’s power pervadeth the limbs and members, veins and arteries of the body, then difference reinforceth harmony, diversity strengtheneth love, and multiplicity is the greatest factor for co-ordination.

How unpleasing to the eye if all the flowers and plants, the leaves and blossoms, the fruits, the branches and the trees of that garden were all of the same shape and colour! Diversity of hues, form and shape, enricheth and adorneth the garden, and heighteneth the effect thereof. In like manner, when divers shades of thought, temperament and character, are brought together under the power and influence of one central agency, the beauty and glory of human perfection will be revealed and made manifest.

Naught but the celestial potency of the Word of God, which ruleth and transcendeth the realities of all things, is capable of harmonizing the divergent thoughts, sentiments, ideas, and convictions of the children of men. Verily, it is the penetrating power in all things, the mover of souls and the binder and regulator in the world of humanity.

- 'Abdu'l'Bahá, SWA 290-2

It is impossible to unite unless united. Christ said, “Ye are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted?” This proves there were dissensions and lack of unity among His followers. Hence His admonition to unity of action.

- 'Abdu'l-Bahá, PUP 156

Believe in Bloggin'

Friday, July 23, 2010

A word potent enough to teach knowledge and confer distinction

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The connecting power in the world of existence

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